Package feeding or dispensing apparatus



y 1, 1944. P. M. FARMER 2,353,394

PACKAGE FEEDING 0R DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 5Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR PMJ armer July 11, 1944. p, FARMER 2,353,394

PACKAGE FEEDING OR DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR rmer BY Z 41$. ATTORNEY July 11, 1944. P. M.FARMER PACKAGE FEEDING OR DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BY i 4:) 4A.; ATTOl QNEY Patented July 11, 1944.UNlTED STATES PATENTOFFICE' PACKAGE FEEDING OR DISPENSING APPARATUSPaul M. Farmer, Maplewood, N. J. 7 Application December 20, 1941, SerialNo. 423,823

12 Claims..

This invention relates to package or article handling apparatus, andmore particularly to mechanism and apparatus adapted to feed or dispensepackages stored in stacked relation or in rows, for example, in a storeor warehouse. A merchandising system to which the invention isparticularly applicable is described in my patent, No.2,276,294,"granted March 17, 1942, on the copending application, SerialNo. 278,543, filed June 10, 1939, of which the present application is acontinuation in part.

In general terms, the object of the invention is to provide improvedapparatus of this character which is simpler, more reliable inoperation, more compact and efllcient, and which comprises structuralelements capable of being assembled to form dispensing units adapted tohandle packages of widely difierent sizes and shapes.

Heretofore mechanical feeding or dispensing cabinets have usually beenindependent units, designed especially for dispensing a single size ofpackage and incorporating relatively complicated ejecting and operatingmechanism. The increasing use of dispensing units adapted to be arrangedin large roups or banks and to handle many different packaged items andfeed them to a single delivery point or conveyor introduces new factorsand requirements hitherto of little importance, including compactness,accessibility for replenishing stock and capability of handlingdifferent packages. In accordance with the invention, a simple andreliable mechanism which is adapted to ,b operated by electromagnetic orother remote control devices is provided to meet these requirements.

From the standpoint of simplicity, dispensing elements which areconstructed of the same component parts but which are adapted to handlea wide range of sizes and shapes of packages are desirable. It isanother object of the invention, therefore, to provide mechanism toaccomplish this result and preferably to obviate even the need forchanges or adjustment in the ejecting means to handle differentpackages.

The earlier and more common forms of dispensing elements stored packagesof a single variety in a vertical stack. Each stack was surrounded by afour-sided enclosure slightly larger in cross-section than the stack.The front side of the enclosure was provided with an opening near thebottom just large enough for a single package to pass through it, thesize of such opening thus varying for different articles. An ejectorelement was usually arranged opposite the opening to push the lowermostpackage in the stack laterally through the opening. When the ejectorelement was retracted, the package which had rested on the lowermostpackage dropped down by gravity and then became the lowermost package tobe dispensed on the next actuation. In this construction, itis'essential that the face of the ejector ram be nearly as large as theface of the package in order that the package will be moved outsquarely.

For general application this form of dispensing mechanism is open to theobjection that the enclosure, opening, ejector ram and other parts ofeach unit must be designed for each size and shape of package.Furthermore, where a large number of units are to be used in a group orbank, this unit is unecon'omical of space, inconvem'ent to get at forreplenishing stock when closely spaced, and dispensed items are releasedover an unnecessarily large area. A further disadvantage of thisconstruction is the amount of power required to actuate the ejector forthe long stroke required to release the package and to overcome theadded load of a retractile spring necpreferred embodiments thereof shownin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and side views, respectively, of package feedingor dispensing apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a modification of the construction shown inFigs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are plan, side and front elevational views,respectively, of another -modification; and

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the manner in which the dispensing unitsembodying the invention are assembled in a bank or tier.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the mechanism or dispensingunit shown in these figures comprises an inclined trough or chute In inwhich the articles or packages II are arranged to slide to the lower endof the chute as successive articles are released from the lower endtherelargest packages handled, and longitudinal separator stripsemployed to enable a single chute to guide two or more rows of smallerpackages to separate releasing mechanisms, as will be exainedereinafter.

m The r ow or stack of package ii in the chute ll abuts against thestationary upstanding lug or abutment l2 provided with a flat contactingface substantially perpendicular to the axis of the chute and ofsufllcient height above the bottom of the chute to obviate thepossibility of the stacked packages sliding or being deflected as aresult of their movement over the 'top thereof.

A preferred form of releasing or ejecting mechanism for dispensingpackages from the chute It to the conveyor (see Fig. 7) or itsequivalent comprises a bell-crank lever pivoted at the point l3 andhaving on'e'arm it thereof positioned. to engage the lower end of theunderside of the lowermost package in the chute and the other arm l5thereof connected to an oscillatory operating rod or link It. The rod orlink It is arranged to be actuated by an electromagnet H or equivalentoperating device. It will be apparent that, when the arm ll of thebell-crank lever is raised to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.2 by the movement of the operating rod it, the outer end of "thelowermost package H is raised above the face of the abutment i2, andwhen the package is canted in this manner it is forced over the abutmentby the pressureof the packages behind it and thus ejected or releasedfrom the storage chute It. The next package engages the lateralextension of the arm ,ll, as indicated by the dotted line IS in Fig. 2,

and is thus prevented from moving further downward until the arm ll ofthe bell-crank lever is restored to its initial position, permitting allpackages in that chute to move downward until the lowermost package isstopped by abutment l2. Thus, only one package is released during eachcycle of operation. 'It will be apparent that the weight of the packagesin the chute tends to restore the bell-cranklever as soon as theelectromagnet I1 is deenergized, thus practically eliminating anynecessity for providing restoring springs and the like. It will also beapparent that the arrangement of the arm I engaging the package H insuch a manner as to merely lift the lower end thereof over the abutmentl2, as shown, provides an ejecting or releasing means adapted to handlepackages of various sizes without alteration. While it is contemplatedthat changes in the size and throw of the ejector mechanism would'bemade in the case of exceedingly small (or large) packages, in actualpractice it is found that asingle ejector unit of the character shownmay be employed for handling pack-- ages of widely varying sizes,such assmall packaged yeast cakes on the one hand and large boxes of soapflakes on the other. The fact that only the end of a package lying on acomparatively slight incline has to be lifted but a very short distance,coupled with the fact that there is no retractile spring stress added tothe operating load, permits operation with very small power.

A further advantage of the construction proposed is that no element ofthe dispensing mechanism projects an appreciable distance beyond thecrosssectional space required for the package carrying chute. This makesfor maximum compactness with the several advantages explained elsewhereherein.

Other advantages of the construction shown, when the dispensing elementsare arranged in a bank or large group, will be explained in connectionwith the description of Fig. 7. It will be understood that the usualinstallation in a store, stockroom or warehouse will comprise a largenumber of elements, and the floor space required is an important factorfrom a practical standpoint. The chute it may be provided with pro-,iecting lugs 20 for supporting the same upon uprights orv supportingstructure of any suitable character. Each chute may also be providedwith a pivoted contact arm 22, as shown, having the end 23 thereofarranged in the path of the packages or articles H in the chute. The arm22 is biased or weighted to engage a stationary contact 24, except whenheld open by the packages in the chute, and thus an electricallyoperated signal or alarm may be actuated when. the stock of packages inthe chute i0 is almost exhausted.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 3, the inclined chute i0 isprovided with an abutment 21 corresponding to the abutment l2 in Fig. 2and a bell-crank lever 28 arranged to raise the lower end of thelowermost package ll over the top of the abutment 21 when said lever isrocked by the operating rod or link 29. However, the bell-crank lever 28is pivoted behind instead of in front of the end of the chute l0, andthe operating rod 29 is at the side instead of underneath the chute,which might be a preferred arrangement in certain installations. Theoperation and advantages of this construction are generally the same asthose described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

, ages may be stocked in chutes of similar width and mounting as thoseutilized for larger packages. A modified construction embodying thisfeature is ilustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and '6. Referring to these figuresof the drawings, a chute or trough 32 corresponding to the storage chuteIll,

described above, is assumed to be large enough to support three separaterows of packages 33. Longitudinal separator strips 34 are attached tothe bottom of the chute 32, as by the bolts or screws 35, in suchpositions as to guide and confine the individual rows of packages. Anejector mechanism is provided for each row of packages, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 5 and 6. Obviously more or fewer ejectors couldbeprovided on a =particular chute, if desired, and one ejector mechanismcould bridge two or more rows if two or more packages were to bereleased during each cycle of operation.

As shown for purposes of illustration, the ejector mechanism comprises asheet-metal bracket 31 secured to the underside of the chute 32 andforming a, combined abutment for the packages in each of the individualrows (where more than one are provided) and a support for -the solenoid39 of each ejector mechanism.

The core 4| of the solenoid is biased to the position shown, when thesolenoid is deenergized, by a helical spring 42 when required andcarries a crossbar or pin 43. The pin 43 engages the other dependentarms 44 of the bell-crank lever pivoted on a bar 45. The inner arms 45of the bell-crank lever, which may be integral or fastened together,extend beneath the end of the lowermost package 33 so that, when thesolenoid 39 is energized to attract the core 4|, the bell-crank leverraises the lower end of the lowermost package over the abutment formedby the bracket 31 and said package is released or ejected from the chute32. Conductors 48 extend from each solenoid to suitablecircuit-controlling mechanism for selectively operating the dispensingmechanism, as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 7 and as described indetail in my above-identified copending application.

Other important advantages of the invention are realized when thedispensing elements are arranged in a compact group or bank. This isillustrated in Fig. 7 which shows how a multiplicity of the storage anddispensing units may be arranged in tiers. This arrangement has theadvantage that a large number of units may release packages from tiersor banks (arranged side-by-side) upon a relatively short length ofconveyor belt for example. Further condensing of space may be achievedby having separte groups or banks placed on opposite sides of theconveyor belt. It should be noted that this compactness is desirable notmerely for saving space but also because with delivery systems, such ascovered by my copending application, such compactness permits of savingtime in the delivery of orders. It will also be noted that the upperends of the respective units are accessible from an aisle parallelingthe belt 5| for replenishing the stock of packages. The several chutesmay be detachably mounted on notched uprights or standards 52. Thenotches 53 in the uprights engage the lugs 20 on the lower end of thechutes and permit assembly with varying spacing and inclination of thechutes to meet the conditions imposed by packages of different weightsand sizes. In order to insure positive feeding of light packages undersome conditions, a sliding weight 55 may be used. The weight 55 may bemounted on rollers to clear the low-stock signal switch and connected toa pull-cord 56 to facilitate withdrawal when new stock is placed in thechute. The cord 55, as shown, runs through a slot in the upper end ofthe chute and is attached to a ball 51, larger than the width of theslot, to prevent the weight 55 from reaching the ejector at the lowerend of the chute. The remotecontrol means for operating the solenoids l1forms no part of the present invention but may include a selector system58 and a keyboard or selectively operable circuit-controlling mechanism59, as described in detail in my copending applications, Serial Nos.206,089 and 278,543.

It will be seen that in accordance with the invention a dispensingelement is provided which is not only extremely simple but isparticularly well adapted for its intended purpose. It is capable ofhandling packages of widely difierent shapes and sizes without anyadjustment or modification. A large number of the units can be assembledin banks or groups with a minimum amount of waste space and withconcentration of delivery in a small area while providing desirableaccessibility for replenishing stock. Furthermore, the power required tooperate each dispensing unit is reduced to a minimum, and the apparatusis therefore particularly suitable for electrical operation and forrapid remote control from a keyboard or the like. While severalmodifications have been shown and described in detail for the purpose ofexplaining the invention, the invention is not limited to the detailedconstruction shown but includes modifications coming within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a package dispensing or handling apparatus of the class described,a support for a plurality of packages arranged in a row for slidingmovement on said support, a fixed abutment at the end of said supportfor said row of packages, and means for lifting the edge of the packageengaging said abutment to cant the package to a position in which thepackage rides over said abutment, said means comprising a movablelifting member extending underneath the edge of the package adjacentsaid abutment and arranged so that when actuated it lifts thelast-mentioned edge of the package without lifting the edge at the endof the package opposite said abutment, and an operating member foractuating said lifting member.

2. In package dispensing or handling apparatus, a support. fixedabutment means for retaining packages in stacked relation on ,said

support, and means for releasing a packagetherefrom comprising abell-crank lever having an arm adapted to engage the forward edge of thefirst package to cant the packageuntil said edge rides over said fixedretaining means, the

package-engaging portion of said arm being normally disposed out of thepath of movement of said packages but movable into a position where itobstructs the movement of said packages.

3. In package dispensing or handling appa ratus of the class described,an inclined support agesbeing arranged in a row on said support, a fixedabutment at the lower end ofsaid support, and means for canting thepackage engaging said abutment to a position in which the package ridesover said abutment, said means comprising a lifting member engaging saidpackage only at the lower edge thereof. I

- 4. In package dispensing or handling apparatus of the class described,means for slidably supporting a row of packages for endwise linearmovement when released from restraint, an abutment for the end of saidrow of packages, and means for lifting the abutment-engaging edge of theend package past said abutment to release said package, said liftingmeans comprising a pivoted member having a portion movable to engage thesaid edge of the end package and into a position to restain movement ofthe next succeeding package as-it lifts the edge of said end package.

5. In package dispensing or handling apparatus of the class described,an inclined chute for supporting a row of packages, and means at thelower end of said chute for normally retaining the packages thereon andfor releasing packages from the chute, said means comprising a fixedabutment for the lowermost package in the chute and a movable ejectorelement arranged adjacent the abutment to lift the lower end of thelowermost package to cant said package to enable it to pass saidabutment.

6. A package storing and dispensing structure comprising an inclinedsupporting element for a row of packages normally held in position by anabutment at the lower end of said inclined element, means for liftingthe lower corner of the lowermost package to cant it to clear saidabutment while the uppermost end of sair package rests on saidsupporting element and theretion of said support being merelysuflficient to' insure positive downward movement of the line i ofpackages as the ones at the bottom are removed, a fixed abutment at thelower end of said support for normally retaining the packages thereon,and means for raising the lower end only of the lowermost package abovesaid abutment while the uppermost end of the said package rests on saidsupport to release said package for movement 'under the influence ofgravity and the pressure of the next package.

8. In package dispensing apparatus of the class described, an inclinedsupport for a plurality of packages arranged in line, a fixed abutmentat the lower end of said support for normally retaining the packagesthereon, a'movable member engaging the lower edge of the lowermostpackage and movable into the path of movement of the succeeding package,and means for actuating said member to raise the lower end of thelowermost package above said abutment to release it, said movable memberbeing pivoted at such a point that the pressure of the line of packagestends to restore it to normal position.

9. In package dispensing apparatus of the class described, an inclinedsupport for a. row of packages, an abutment at the lower end of saidsupport for retaining said packages in position thereon, means includinga movable ejector element arranged to lift the lower end of thelowermost package to cant the latter until it rides over said abutmentand electromagnetic 10. In package dispensing apparatus of the classdescribed, a series of chutes or supports for packages, said chutes orsupports being mounted one above the other, an abutment at the lower endof each chute or support for retaining packages thereon and meansincluding a movable ejector element at one end of each of said chutes orsupports and arranged to lift the edge of the package engaging theabutment to cant the package until it rides over the abutment, saidmeans further comprising a solenoid mounted underneath each abutment,each solenoid being provided with a movable magnetizable core, and anoperative connection between the core of each solenoid and the adjacentejector element whereby the latter is actuated to cause a package to bedispensed when the solenoid is energized.

11. In package dispensing apparatus of the class described, an inclinedsupport for a row of packages, a fixed abutment at the lower end of .thesupport for retaining packages thereon,

means to lift the abutment-engaging edge of the lowermost package tocant the package over the abutment and thereby release it, said meansincluding an upwardly movable ejector element positioned substantiallyagainst the face of the abutment to stop the downward movement of thesucceeding package, when said ejector element has been moved upwards,stopping the package a. short distance from the abutment compared to thelength of the packages, and means to actuate said ejector element.

12. In a package dispensing unit, an inclined chute for supporting a rowof packages stacked in said chute, a fixed abutment at the lower end ofthe said chute to restrain said row of packages against movement, anelectrically actuated lifter element so disposed with reference to saidfixed abutment as to engage only the lower endv of the lowermostpackage, means whereby actuation of said lifter element lifts the lowerend only of the lowermost package thereby canting said package andenabling it to slide past said fixed abutment and obstructs movement ofthe next succeeding package, means whereby restoration of said lifterelement permits the then lowermost package to move downward into contactwith said fixed abutment in position to be next released upon subsequentactuation of said lifter element. PAUL M. FARMER.

